Video #1: Splash Park

Pictures from Party

Happy Birthday Time

Video #2: Singing Happy Birthday

Video #3: James Eating his Cupcake

James loved opening all his birthday gifts… we are so blessed! 

Height: 36 1/4 (88%)

Weight: 32 pounds, 6 ounces (88%)

Head Circumference: 50 (80%)

James is a character and has such a bubbling personality.  He is still super sweet and can be a little reserved around people he doesn’t know.  He is such a lovie and helper too.   James enjoys imaginative play.  I have watched him during his independent playtime play with his bear, bunny, and puppy putting them down to bed and taking care of them.  He also pretends to cook.  He can draw a vertical line and string beads on a necklace.  He talks about some of his friends (Holly, Will, and Hayden).  James has started getting creative with his prayers.  He prays for Elmo, Ernie, Bear, Puppy, and Bunny.  Funny, because we don’t watch Sesame Street, but Elmo and Ernie are on his diapers, so he has kind of gotten to know them up close and personal.  Recently, he prayed for the floor and the wall.  Interesting?!?!  At Little Gym, he can hang from monkey bars and can walk across balance beam sans any help.  He is starting to use pronouns (I, me).   James knows a few shapes (circle, square, heart, oval, octagon, hexagon, and diamond).  He still continues to get most of his colors confused.  James is still the best sleeper.  He sleeps about 11.5 hours at night (7:30pm-7am) and takes a 2.5-3 hour nap (1pm-4ish).  He does wake up every once in a while crying out for about a minute, then goes right back to sleep… kind of strange?   

James is still pretty particular with certain things.  For example, he wants us to go out specific doors in his room when we leave for his independent playtime or naps/nighttime.  He says “out there” and points to the door he wants you to go out.  The funny thing is that for independent play he has a certain door (the one with the gate) and has a different door (the one to the den) for naps/nighttime.  He still has a certain place for all of his toys and sorts them according to where I put them.  He eats with a bib (I know, still!) and a placemat at every meal.  There are more examples, but I am typing this at 11:30pm.  I guess he is taking after my type – A/OCD personality, HA! 

Wish us luck… we are going to do the three day potty training method (obviously, it isn’t just three days) over Labor Day weekend.  Starting at about 18 months, he started to show some interest.  We bought him a potty and were very casual about it, basically just letting him go after we took off his diaper before his shower.  Currently, James asks several times a day to “pee pee in the potty.”  I need to get a video of it because it is hilarious his reaction after he goes in the potty.  Going #2 is going to be our challenge (I think) because he has yet to do that in the potty.   He does go #2 during his independent playtime everyday.  I think that he associates toots with poo poo because anytime anyone toots James says “poo poo” and points to your crotch.  We have a lot of toots around the house, especially with a newborn!   James wears size 6 diapers during the day now.  He wears 3T-4T clothes and size 8 shoes.

look what I made at VBS

love this look (plus all his VBS crafts) and sporting daddy’s shoes

doing pop’s hair with a power drill and wrench (I think?)

helping mommy make homemade pizza (a friday night tradition in the slade household)

sweet sleepytime

playing with jackson’s keys  

james and andrew

james and rhodes

Video #1: Independent Playtime

Last week, I tried to make every effort to have a super fun birthday week for James, but I had to also plan/prep for his birthday party with 60 plus people on Saturday (post coming soon… I just have to go through the 250 plus pictures that I took).    

Monday -  James was my “helper” and ran errands with me.  I attempted to take him to the library after his nap, however, I forgot they were closed on Monday. 

Tuesday – Playdate at Lisa’s

From left: Ellis, Campbell, Lauren, Hayden, Anna, James, and Jackson 

Wednesday – Bookmark’s Storytime at Northpark

Thursday - Neighborhood PTA Splash Park Event

Friday - Official birthday; Morning Breakfast gets to blow out the candle in waffles with PB, Lunch at Luby’s with Mommy and Daddy sans Jackson (Teenie and Pops were watching him) and helped Mommy bake 70 cupcakes 

Video #2: Happy Birthday Wake-up

Video #3: Birthday Breakfast

Video #4: James with Cupcake

Reese’s Birthday:

reese in the pigtails

ashley and holly

Carter’s Birthday:

james loved carter’s vintage firetruck

backing up the firetruck

james at the chuggin station

Preston’s Birthday:

sugar overload face

Height: 23 1/2 inches (75%)

Weight: 12 pounds, 10 ounces (75%)

Head Circumference: 39 (25%)

The older Jackson gets the easier he gets (not that he was too bad in the beginning), but just different from James and more particular.  I am so blessed to have my boys and easy babies… makes me want more already!!!   

Jackson enjoys smiling and cooing a lot.  He doesn’t cry except when he wakes up because he is hungry and right before he takes his naps and around bedtime sometimes if I waited too long to put him down.  Most of the time, I am able to put him down where he self soothes.   

Jackson is a strong little guy.  When sitting up in a chair he does this maneuver and pushes himself forward, which lands him on his tummy.  I guess he is just letting us know that he is tired of sitting up!  Most people that come over are surprised how well Jackson can hold up his head for his age.  I think it is because he enjoys his tummy time so much! 

Since my helpers left, Jackson has adapted well to a routine.  He nurses about 7-9 times a day.  He takes four naps per day (2 long, two short).  His long 2 hour nap is during James’ nap, so it works out perfect for a little downtime for Mommy and a much needed nap.   The morning nap is THE most important nap of his day because it sets the stage for the outcome of the rest of the day.  During GiGi’s visit, Jackson missed his morning nap three times and was a bear until noon because he was so overtired and unable to fall asleep unless he was nursing, so he wouldn’t get good feedings.  Possible growth spurt, but so glad that was only for three days because I was about ready to pull out my hair!  Jackson sleeps about 15 hours a day.  He sleep total throughout the night about 10 1/2 hours.  Jackson does at least one 5-6.5 hours a night.  Although, the night before last, he slept 7 1/2 hours… what a great way to celebrate your two month birthday, Jackson!  He also slept 7 hours on his 7 week birthday.  We still put him in the miracle blanket at night and during most naps during the day, but this month we are going to try to transition him into a halo sleepsack.  Although, I try to put him in his crib for most naps, sometimes it isn’t always possible since we are on the go now, so he has adapted well to sleeping in his carrier or the baby bjorn.  He can sleep through just about anything (even a tantrum throwing toddler)!  He sticks with a eat, activity, sleep routine.   

The hardest part of our day is trying to get him down around his bedtime at 7:30pm – 7:45pm (James’ bedtime is 7:30pm).  The first month, Jackson tried to always fight it, but now that we know what he likes/dislikes it is much easier.  He likes to be walked around or rocked until his eyes get heavy.  Once I put him down, he likes the shushing sound of your voice while vibrating the bed with your hand.  I think that it is important for him to completely learn to fall asleep on his own, so I try not to ever put him down completely asleep.  I typically leave the room within five to ten minutes now, so he is pretty easy (like James) to put down.  The past few days, I have been able to wrap him in his miracle blanket, sing him a song, and then walk out of the room where he falls asleep completely by himself… with two under two, this rocks!   I want to implement a nighttime book, but I guess that comes with time. 

Jackson has MEGA dry skin.  Starting at about 6 weeks, he broke out into several heat rashes, then once the rashes went away it came with a wave of dry skin, which he still has.  I tried Aveeno baby and Aquaphor and both made the rash worse.  I decided to go all natural/organic, so I went to Whole Foods and found the perfect product… Peter Rabbit Organic lotion.   Finally, it provided Jackson’s skin some relief without making the rash worse!  

Video #1: All Smiles

Video #2: Holding up Head

Video #3: Playing

battle wounds from shots

This was my first time to entertain since Jackson has been born, so we kept it super simple (burgers and brownies).   We had such a wonderful time visiting and getting to know this sweet family.   We will see them in the upcoming weekends because both our boys are turning two and have super second birthday parties coming up! 

james and carter

James is making Mommy and Daddy so proud and has basically learned all of his alphabet letters, however sometimes has trouble with the S, N, and often switches the B and R.  James enjoys counting, but not always in order and he also knows a few shapes and colors. 

James started calling us Mommy and Daddy instead of Mama and Dada. 

During independent play, James got curious and got into his diaper bag and ate some sunscreen.  When his independent play ended, I walked in and panicked!  After wiping gobs of it from the roof of his mouth, I called poison control immediately.  Thankfully, it was a California Baby sun stick, which is organic and all natural, so there were no concerns from poison control. 

Favorite toys: any books, latch puzzle, cell phone (my first cell phone)

James enjoys hanging from the monkey bars at Little Gym.   

As a big brother, James is the BEST!   It is great to see his eyes light up when we bring Jackson into the room.  James enjoys giving Jackson kisses and holding him, helping me turn on the music on his play gym, shows Jackson how to bat and hit things on his play gym, brings me a burp cloth when needed, pointing out all Jackson’s body parts, feed him the bottle, and brings Jackson toys (calling them wrattle wrattles).      

Big Thanks to Mommy’s Helpers!!!

After Jeff went back to work, my Mom and Mother-in-law came to help me in my last two weeks of recovery from my c-section.   James had a blast the past few weeks. 

Week of July 11th – 16th w/ Teenie

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Monday – We went to the park and a neighborhood playgroup together

Tuesday – Teenie took James to the Dallas Arboretum and then had a playdate with Allison/Lauren Margaret

Wednesday – We went to the Splash Park to meet some friends (Ashley/Holly & Jill/Reese) and had a playdate with Jordan/Carter  

Thursday – Teenie took James to the Dallas Arboretum and had a playdate with Jennifer/Mason/Preston & later with Valerie/Henry/Simon

Friday – Teenie took James to Little Gym

allison and jackson

teenie and james

holly and reese

james, jackson, henry, and simon

jackson and simon

Week of 18th – 21st w/ GiGi

Monday - GiGi took James to the Dallas Zoo 

Tuesday – GiGi took James to the park and had a playdate with Amber/Campbell

Wednesday – GiGi took James to the Splash Park and had a playdate with Alison/Will

Last Thursday – Mommy’s helpers are gone and I was officially on my own, so exciting!  Update: Things have been great, although sometimes of course a bit crazy! 

Although, Jackson isn’t doing a ton of things right now, here are some things that we have found about our little guy…

We call Jackson ”Squeaker” because when wakes up he makes all these funny squeaking noises (video below).   He also has this high pitched scream when he gets really hungry. 

He is super “productive” which is a good sign that my milk supply is good this time around (so thankful).  Jackson is muddy after almost every feeding and is mega gassy.  He burps like a champ several times within seconds after a feeding.  We think that he toots and burps like a real man! 

Jackson typically feeds every 1.5-3 hours right now, but now that he weighs almost 10 pounds I am going to start stretching him a little to get to 2.5-3 hours for my own sanity.  The first three weeks, I felt like it was important to feed often to build my milk supply, so I was waking him up every two hours and every three hours at night.  From the beginning, I tried to feed “on demand,” but I had a sleepyhead on my hands.  However, since he turned three weeks old, I have been able to feed more on demand.  We have also stopped supplementing.  I am anticipating on getting on more of a predictable schedule soon because we have started doing the eat, activity, sleep pattern from the book Baby Whisperer (same book that we used with James).  Jackson is typically fussy at night around bedtime (convenient, I know) because that is when he has the most gas!  He enjoys doing a little cluster feeding… tanking himself up to do his two four hour stretches at night.  I only have to wake up once at night because I “dream feed” him at 10:30pm, then again at 2:30am, and then wake up for the day at 6:30am.  Now that he has “woken up” a bit more, he is sleeping anywhere between 16-17 hours a day. 

Although, we haven’t used the pacifier yet (AAP now recommends waiting one month if you are breastfeeding), over the past week Jackson has done great self soothing himself before bedtimes.  I try not to rock, nurse, or jiggle Jackson to sleep (another Baby Whisperer recommendation) just like we did with James. 

When Jackson gets his diaper changed, his feet go into a froggie position and sometimes he gets poop on his feet (gross, I know).  He outgrowing most of his 0-3 clothes, so he is starting to wear most of his 3-6 month clothes.  He seems to be long and lean with a very long torso (like James has).   Although, he started life wearing newborn diapers (unlike big brother James) he quickly outgrew those and is now wearing size 1 diapers. 

He has already started to notice various toys on his play gym and bats at them.  He enjoys tummy time most of the time.  Jackson has started to trace people’s faces and objects, which is a lot of fun!  He can already kick out of miracle blanket (GREAT, now I feel like we have no chance of him sleeping through the night early).  Jackson had super strong head control in the hospital and continues to get better daily.  While being held on someone’s shoulder, he lifts his head like an older baby would.    

Jackson gave mama, then dada immediately following his first social smile… I just love his toothless grin! 

We feel very blessed to have two boys that have been EASY babies.  James was certainly more laid back, but Jackson is getting to be like that the older he gets (the first week was such an adjustment for us).  Thankfully, Jackson loves his infant carrier as much as James does because I have a feeling when I am “cleared” at my six week  appointment we are going to be on the move!  

Finally, notice the piece of paper that we had with James’ monthly pictures is gone… this mama got smart and started shopping on Etsy for a sticker that I could put on a onesie, so I wouldn’t have to deal with the toddler drama with Jackson that we have had with James over the past few months in taking some of these monthly pictures.  James always wants to hold the piece of paper now… geez, sometimes toddlers just don’t want to cooperate!  I found a lady on Etsy that would custom make stickers up until 24 months, so onesies here we come…

Jackson’s Newborn Photography Session…

Pictures over the past month…

In honor of Pops… Hook Em’

Hate that this pic was taken with Jeff’s iPhone

Due to my c-section, I cannot get out with my “bunch” by myself without help.  I am not able to pick up James and I am not able to pick up Jackson while he is in the carrier.  I didn’t think about this until I was homebound for about a week and a half, then I was wanting to tear at the walls desperate to get out!   I think I am going a little stir crazy and can’t wait to get out with them because I am wanting to know how this is all going to work with two.  Grocery shopping, mall visits, Little Gym, EVERYTHING will be different!  As you saw from the previous post, I have started to get out more… SO thankful for my sweetie helping me!

Nursing Jackson has been difficult because James wants to be in the center of the action either “helping” me or giving Jackson kisses (which is tough on the old incision).  Another “challenge” is the frequency of nursing right now, which is about every 1.5 – 3 hours during the day (however, two four hour stretches at night).  This leaves me not a lot of time to spend with James much less run any errands or do much housework.  Basically, I can’t spend enough time with James and I can’t hold Jackson enough (unless I am nursing, of course).  MEGA Mommy guilt I tell ya!

I am so thankful for my ”Baby Timer” app on my iPhone.  It has been a LIFESAVER… I highly recommend it to all new Moms (there is no need for the Itzbeen Baby Timer with it).  It keeps track of Jackson’s nursing dates/times, wet/muddy diapers, future solid foods, and sleep times.  It also averages his daily and weekly progress, plus I am able to export it into a document to save it for a reference.

Another “challenge” that I foresee is how I am going to manage breakfast/nursing Jackson, lunch/nursing Jackson/nap time, and dinner/nursing Jackson/bath/bedtime routine when Jeff goes back to work (and my Mom and MIL leave at the end of the month).  Am I just going to have to nurse Jackson on my feet?  Baby bunchers, how does this work exactly?

Laundry explosion… our laundry has tripled since the birth of Jackson.  Maybe I just forgot how much laundry there is to do with a newborn! 

Something else I find myself doing is comparing notes.  So, as most of you know I took copious notes with James, so I am constantly comparing them to Jackson’s schedule (or lack thereof), wet diapers/poops, sleeping, etc.  Is that normal?

BIG THANKS…. to my sweet husband (what better person to help you) who has attended to my beck and call over the past month, the family and friends that have brought us breakfast/lunch/dinner, very thoughtful gifts, letters, and emails.  I really appreciate it from the bottom of my heart.  I can’t imagine not having y’all during this time…. y’all are the BEST!!!

Jeff took James to our neighborhood parade because a parade isn’t exactly a great place for a newborn.  We went to two different parties with friends to celebrate, but thankfully they were on different days otherwise we would have been pooped!   Then, the Slades/Uncle Doug & Aunt Laura and then some of our friends, the Moores, came for a visit.